"Are you alright?" The worried voice of the Yondaime Hokage made its way to Naruto.
"Yes. Thank you for your concern."
"I wasn't talking to you, teme. What did you do? Mikoto started crying while she was unconscious."
"It appears that there is a side effect to the seal."
Mikoto was slowly coming to. After regaining her composure, she excused herself and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
"Minato, I will take responsibility of Mikoto Uchiha henceforth. It would be better if she were to stay with me."
Naruto felt a vicious slap to the back of his head. "What the hell? Are you insane? You can't just go grab the Uchiha princess from her home and suddenly decide that 'Oh, she'll be staying with me'. What were you thinking?"
A scream could be heard from the bathroom. Mikoto rushed out. "I have the mangekyou sharingan."
Minato frowned. "That's a forbidden practice."
Mikoto frowned. "The clan would go ape-shit if they found out that they can obtain the mangekyou this way."
Naruto frowned. "Mikoto-hime, watch your language."
Chapter 3 – Bonds that Tie
The Yondaime Hokage ditched worked that morning. While paper piled up in his in-box and Uchiha representatives waited patiently outside his office, Minato was enjoying a nice bowl of ramen with his son and his son's newly acquired charge.
The three each wore identically sealed necklaces. Flicking his, Minato asked, "This is pretty useful. Mind sharing the design?".
"I will deliver it to your office tomorrow."
The necklaces they wore were designed by Naruto when he was seventeen. He had been working with a group of Tea militia who had trouble hiding from enemy patrols. The necklaces were keyed into arbitrary channels and applied an Henge no Jutsu over the wearer. Everyone wearing the necklace keyed into the same channel could communicate normally, but anyone else would just hear gossip and noise.
"Naruto, I'm approving your request."
Naruto nodded in agreement.
Mikoto, oblivious to what has conspired, innocently asked, "What are you guys talking about?"
With a smile that shined almost as bright as the sun, Minato wrapped an arm around Mikoto and Naruto, "Congratulations Mister and Missus Uzumaki."
Calmly as ever, Naruto turned to his father, "This is not what I had in mind, Minato."
"But this is too sudden! We barely know each other." Mikoto's face flushed as she shoved Naruto off of his bar stool.
With the grin still plastered to his face, Minato said, "Just kidding."
"Oh." Both Mikoto and Naruto said simultaneously.
The current Hokage's mood turned serious. "Mikoto-dono, you're the first to have escaped from this Uchiha tradition. Your clan will not easily let you off. This is a strike against clan integrity. Naruto-kun here, has expressed intention of taking you in under his wings, at least temporarily until things settle down. What are your thoughts?"
She replied without hesitation. "That's is acceptable, he did say he was going to take responsibility."
Minato elbowed Naruto and conspiratorially leaned in, "You sly dog. Not a week in this world and you bagged the Uchiha princess." he whispered, "Don't be too impatient, I don't want to be a grandpa yet!"
"You are strange, Minato."
Mockingly, Minato clutched his heart, "That hurt!"
While they finished lunch in relative peace, Minato invited his son and Mikoto to dinner before heading to work. "Why don't you go shopping for supplies," he threw a wad of bills at Naruto, "then come to my place for dinner."
"Roger."
Minato messed with Naruto's hair in good nature, "Stop being so bland, you'll bore the girl out."
"I will try to appear more exciting." Naruto replied.
Minato looked at Mikoto, "Do try to put up with him, please?"
"I'll do my best."
The afternoon was spent shopping for essentials. Naruto had been meticulous in getting everything. From bed linens to tooth brush and soy sauce, Naruto had all of his bases covered. Mikoto was glad that Naruto was proficient in seals.
"Mikoto-hime," Naruto tried getting her attention.
"Don't call me that, idiot. It's embarrassing."
"My apologies. Hime."
"That's even worse. Just call me Mikoto."
"That is inappropriate."
Mikoto was flustered. "Who cares? Just stop saying princess-this and princess-that."
"As you wish, Mikoto."
Her eyes narrowed at him, "Why is it that I'm bothered even when you just call me 'Mikoto'?"
"Then I will stick to 'Hime'."
Exasperated, Mikoto gave up, "fine." A hint of red graced her cheeks. "Let's go shopping for clothing. I need pajamas." She dragged him through the shopping center.
"Hime, as I was trying to ask you earlier, how much of my past have you seen?"
Mikoto stammered a little, "I only saw a few battles, but when I was possessed by that thing," she paused, "well, I know everything it knew."
She felt Naruto's pace slow down to a halt. A hand was placed on her shoulder. "Please try to disregard what the impostor showed you. It was a manifestation of my personal demon. Its view of events are likely skewed from the truth."
"Oh, okay." Mikoto answered cautiously."But what happened out there, how did I get these eyes?"
"I believe my impromptu release of your seals is to blame. They worked by siphoning chakra from your eyes. When it was released, due to your stress level and the chakra release mechanism, it triggered your eyes to manifest. Please do not dwell on it. I will get it perfect next time."
"Next time? You still intend to seal me?" She asked in fright.
Naruto dauntlessly looked into Mikoto's eyes. "I intend to seal all Uchihas."
"That's wrong!" She exclaimed. "Who are you to decide our fate? You're no different than them." The iris of Mikoto's eyes was spinning wildly.
"Calm down, Hime. Let's discuss this rationally."
"Don't call me that," she screamed. Mikoto pushed him into a fruit stall and ran.
Naruto apologized to the fruit merchant and compensated for the damaged goods. In a split second, he was standing in front of the Hokage, "Do you mind if I take a rain check on dinner, Minato?"
"Fight already? Geez. The Toad and Slug just got back in town. I was planing on introducing you to them and Kushina. "
A flash of emotions appeared in Naruto's eyes. "That is unfortunate. The Uchiha and I had a slight miscommunication."
"That's how wars start, Naruto."
"I did not come to be lectured." Naruto replied quickly, "How are things with the Uchiha officials?"
"I got them under control. The clan will tell its members that Mikoto is on a public relations mission to Wind, and I'll back them up with paperwork when inquired. So far the real story is that Mikoto Uchiha has been kidnapped and that we have three squads working on the case."
"And they bought it?"
"They left my office without trying to instigate a coup, that's got to count for something."
"Very well. Please keep me informed."
"What are you going to do with Mikoto?"
"I will use her to develop a containment device for the Uchiha."
Minato frowned. He knew the danger that was brewing behind the Uchiha clan's closed doors. But the way Naruto delivered that statement made him feel uneasy. "I didn't mean it like that. Let me rephrase it this way. How are you going to make peace with Mikoto?" Minato pressed on, "Apologizing always works."
"Dully noted."
It was late evening when Naruto arrived back at his apartment. Five empty ramen cups were in the trash bin. Mikoto sat properly next to the table, with a steaming cup of ramen next to her.
"You ate all my noodles."
Mikoto ignored Naruto and looked away from him. "Hmph!"
The keys clinked as they landed on the counter top. "I should have considered your feelings and consulted you."
She turned to face him.
"I am sorry, Hime." Naruto said.
"I thought we would eat a snack together before going to dinner." Mikoto said, "I made two cups earlier. But you didn't come back. So I ate both cups before they over cooked. An hour later, I made a cup for you. But you didn't come back. I got word from Minato, dinner is postponed until tomorrow."
That was unexpected. "I did not know that, thank you for being considerate."
"Your apology doesn't sound apologetic at all. You should put more heart into your words. Why do you always sound like a dead fish?"
"Hime, you are not making any sense. How does a dead fish make sound?"
Mikoto wanted to scream. "Forget it. Where have you been?"
"I was doing research on the sharingan."
Mikoto scowled. "Please, let's not talk about it, at least not tonight."
"Understood."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Mikoto cleared her throat and gestured to the steaming cup on the table. "Did you eat yet? You can have that one if you haven't. It's not like I made it for you or anything. I was going to eat it but you came back before it was properly cooked."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Naruto's lips. "Do you expect me to believe that, Hime?"
"Of course! Only reason I'm allowing you to have it is because you're so irritating that you killed my appetite!"
The warm hum of the refrigerator chased away the silence.
"Thank you for the food, Mikoto."
"Ju- just eat, idiot! It has been a long day. I'm going to sleep and I'm taking the main bedroom."
The window shattered for the second time that day. A shadow charged in and Mikoto made no sound as a well placed strike to her pressure point robbed her of her consciousness.
"And you are?"
Naruto's fist collided with the assailant's palm. Its movement was swift. In the split second that it took Naruto ready his grapple, it flipped behind him.
"I am your shadow."
"I beg your pardon." His leg swept under it.
"You are Uzumaki Naruto, correct?" Placing a hand on his shoulder, it jumped and pivoted with its wrist. It landed behind Naruto and held him in a choke hold.
Chakra charged through his muscles. Naruto untangled its arm away from his neck and shoved it against the east wall of his spartan living room. "I do not know how you have come to the knowledge of my existence, if you value your life, stand down," His grasp on its wrists tightened and twisted, "and explain."
"You are quite strong, Master."
He did not need this. First there was an moody chunin, then a disillusioned Uchiha, and now this?
"Acknowledge my question." Naruto commanded.
"Ah, my apologies. But I would appreciate it if you would allow me to talk to you more in a more comfortable position," it struggled a little, "but if this is what the Master prefers, I shall oblige." Its tone was almost teasing.
His hold did not budge. "Speak."
"I am Konoha."
If Naruto was surprised, he did not show it.
"Elaborate."
"You may know me as Kyuubi."
The atmosphere tensed. The Kyuubi that was sealed within him had died. While reluctant, the fur-ball ultimately gave up its life for Naruto. What was this world's the nine-tailed demon fox doing here?
As if nothing was out of the ordinary, Konoha continued. "When you were summoned into the past, or should I say, the present, what left of the Kyuubi came along with you."
A kunai materialized in Naruto's hand and he placed it next to its neck. Fox demons were notorious for being tricksters. He did not know how this being had gained the knowledge of him and the Kyuubi, but if it was telling the truth, the last thing Naruto should be doing was letting his guard down. "What are your intentions?"
"You are quite impatient, Master." Konoha appeared to be amused.
His kunai grazed its neck. "Do not play tricks with me, demon or not, you would not appreciate a headless body."
It giggled and evaporated into the air.
"Such passion." Naruto heard from behind him, "but I am not here to play, Master."
Instantaneously, Naruto was drawn into a place he never thought he would have to visit again: the cage that once held the monstrosity that came close to decimating Konoha.
A woman stood in front of him. She did not have the aristocratic beauty of the Uchiha, but the air around her was no less refined. A katana was locked next to her hip while a simple blue kimono decorated with lilies draped over her lithe form. Her most striking feathers, however, were her flame red eyes and burnt orange hair.
"Master, I hope this proves the sincerity of my words." She walked closer to him. "I have been with you since then moment you were born. I know everything about you."
The Kyuubi glided closer. Naruto was at a loss of words
What is this?
"Let me become your sword and shield. Let me strike down your enemies and shield you from harm's way." Its voice was silky and seductive.
Her hands reached out to caress Naruto's cheeks. Before she made contact, however, Naruto made a dash backwards and willed twenty clones into the space around him.
His eyes were stern and his lips pressed thin. "If you are indeed Kyuubi, how did you acquire this form?"
"The fragment of Kyuubi that came with you merged with the Kyuubi of this time." The Kyuubi gestured the distance between him and her, with one hand pressed over her heart. "Then I was born."
With a light bounce, she came face to face with Naruto. "Throughout your life, the Kyuubi that was sealed in you became imprinted with your humanity. But it was incomplete, it did not have enough spiritual energy to gain form and consciousness."
The mindscape changed. Naruto saw slivers of light merge with what appeared to be a dormant Kyuubi. "Demons first came into existence when people traded their humanity for power." There was sadness in her eyes. "when that happened, they also lost their mind and their heart." Konoha smiled at him, "do you know why demons eat humans?"
Naruto remained silent.
"It's because they want to gain back their humanity. When the Kyuubi merged with your fragment, well," She pointed to herself, "I became complete."
"That is a lot to take in."
"Ah, take your time. But I must thank you for this body, I approve."
"You are welcome?"
"Oh, you do not know." Konoha appeared to be bashful, "This is the form most compatible to you. Or rather, the form most desired by you. I remember everything, Master. To repay for all the troubles I have caused you, I have become bound to you."
The depth of Konoha's gaze convinced Naruto of her sincerity. The clones dispelled. "I appreciate the thought." His stance relaxed. "But the Kyuubi has saved my life more than once. There is no debt."
"But it is because of me that you started to shut out you heart."
"I have no need for such a thing."
"But how can a man who cannot love lead?" Konoha pleaded, "Let me take care of you. I know what you desire. We have that bond. You've always been the protector, the one hurt for the sake of others. Let me protect you. Will you accept me? I want to see you smile and hear you laugh again!"
Naruto had longed for someone like that once. He remembered asking the night sky time and time again, who would protect him? Who would fight for him? But he grew up. Once the Hokage hat was placed on his head, Naruto discarded such weaknesses.
"There is nothing to accept. I do not need you."
"I see." Konoha's gaze was downcast.
Reality came crashing back. When Naruto opened his eyes, Konoha was nowhere to be seen and Mikoto still laid slumped over the table. He sighed as he got up and carried Mikoto to her room, failing to notice the pair of eyes that followed his every movement.
Walking back into the living room, Naruto complained, "I need to put some reinforcement seals on that window."
It was almost three in the morning. A sleeping Naruto frowned as he felt a warm wetness around his groin. He opened his eyes.
"Hello Master."
A kunai found its way into his palm and Naruto calmly held it against Konoha. "What do you think you're doing?"
Mikoto had been awake since midnight. She felt helpless. The tick-tock sound of the clock mocked her weakness. She couldn't sleep. So when she heard voices coming from Naruto's room, she took it upon herself to investigate. Mikoto has yet to learn how to curb her curiosity.
The door was slightly ajar. As she quietly pushed it all the way open, a trickle of blood escaped from her nose. A naked woman was joined at the hips with Naruto. She appeared to be leaning over him, as if whispering sweet nothingness into his ears. Her hair glowed against the moonlight as they draped over Naruto. The kunai pressed against Konoha's neck gleamed.
"Sorry for interrupting! Please enjoy yourselves!" Mikoto slammed the door shut.
Fin.
AN: Feed the author! Finally, all the main characters have been introduced. Next chapter, Konoha vs Mikoto, FIGHT!
Backstage Bonus!
Naruto's cheeks burned. "Was the scene at the end really necessary?"
"It's not rape if it's consensual. Do you still consider it rape, Master?"
"No! Wait, Yes!" He was at a loss of words.
"You seemed to like hurting women, Naruto." Rin chimed in.
"I can't believe you put a seal on me on the first day we met!"
"You shoved me into the dirt while I was injured!"
"I was barely introduced as a character and you've already placed your kunai next to my neck!"
There was a unanimous chorus. "Naruto, you suck."
Lighting struck and thunder clapped ominously. Suddenly dressed in leather and mesh, the women cornered Naruto.
"Let's teach him some manners."
Naruto frowned as the whip in Mikoto's hand crackled. "#&%$ my life."
